Be Still: Daily Devotional

This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow.

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

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Today is August 8.


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.   
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
  
Today’s reading is from the book of Romans, chapter 8. 
 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
  

Many Christians, especially those of us who have grown up in the West, are not really prepared for suffering, especially suffering for our faith. But throughout the New Testament, suffering for Christ is a given. The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Philippi and says: “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” Paul sees suffering as a gift, something that is granted, because it’s a way that we can identify with Christ. Now, consider for a moment how you think about suffering. What is your reaction when you experience hardship or suffering?  
 
Paul here says, can suffering separate you from Christ? Trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword? No way. We are more than conquerors! What circumstance in your life is keeping you from the love of God? As you listen the passage again, can you invite Christ to transform your mind that you might think of yourself as more than a conquerer?   
  
As we close our time, what if you make this your prayer today, and you repeat it quietly through the day…Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen  
  
Music: What Can Seperate - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is August 7.


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
  
Today’s reading is from the gospel of John, chapter 9.  
 

Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”  
 

They still did not believe. These people had witnessed a great miracle... one that was provable. And yet, they did not believe. Their hearts seem hard, and they seem very keen to cast blame, and to cause trouble.... instead of being in awe over such a remarkable thing as the restoration of sight. As you come to prayer today, can you examine the condition of your heart? Are you at peace? Angry? Cynical? Feeling full of blame toward someone? Can you invite Jesus to draw near to you, however it is you find yourself today? 
 
As you listen to the story again, imagine yourself as the man who received healing. He’s been blind since birth, and now can see. And yet no one is asking him about THAT! They’re complaning, interrogaing him, involving his parents, there’s all sort of commotion. Imagine how you would feel if you were this man. Imagine your encounter with this healing power. Imagine the sense of perspective about life you would have in a situation like this. Can you imagine the tone with which he speaks his words at the end of this text? 
 
The miraculous gifts of the Spirit are a demonstration of the reign and rule of God in the world. Jesus came declaring that the kingdom of God is at hand! One response to that is a cynical one. Full of doubt, or interrogation. Another response is one that is full of faith... that says, perhaps: ‘i don’t know... I was blind but now I see!’ Take time as we end to invite God’s spirit to increase your gift of faith... To give you holy perspective... and to cause your heart to soften and to be filled by His love. 
 
Music: I Speak Jesus - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is August 6th.


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.    
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 12.  
  
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. 
  
Here the Apostle Paul shares with us a metaphor of the church. The church is like a body. It has hands and feet. It has eyes and ears. It has a mouth and a mind. And each person who is a follower of Christ is to fulfill their function in that body. Each of us has a part. You are vital—essential, even—to the church, to the body of Christ, to function well? Consider a body that has a mind but no mouth, no way to communicate. Or can see but not hear. Or has hands, but no feet to move? Take a moment and ask yourself if you are taking your place in the body of Christ? 
  
As you hear the passage again, consider what gift God has given you for the sake of others. Are you someone who is compelled to bring the good news of Jesus, like an apostle? Or do you have a word from God to share, like a prophet? Do you have faith to pray for miracles? Does God want you to release God’s healing power? D you have the ability to help others understand God’s word? Or do you have the gift of prayer, even praying in a spiritual language? What gift resonates with you today?   

These gifts aren’t meant to be exhaustive. And they aren’t natural gifts like your temperament. They are special gifts that God gives in order to be the body of Christ in the world. And the scriptures tell us that God gives these gifts to everyone who follows Jesus, so that the body of Christ might be built up and strengthened. As we close our time, would you take a few moments and name the one gift that resonated with you and hold it before the Lord, and ask him to fill it with his power and presence. As him to give you grace and courage to step out today and use the gift that he’s given you.  

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is August 5.


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of Ephesians, chapter 4.  
  

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 
  
  
The early Christians Paul was writing to needed to maintain relationships with Gentiles, while navigating their new, counter-cultural mindsets. Persecuted and surrounded by hostility, they were expected to maintain a positive, Christ like attitude among the people, who didn't understand, accept, or even like the idea of Jesus. As His followers, they wanted to think like Jesus did, but He had His Father guiding Him through the darkness, ignorance, and hate of the faithless world. His perfect mindset kept Him connected to the Father and allowed him to live in a world that contradicts the Word. Talk to the Lord about how you navigate these kinds of spaces. 
  
What qualities define this new mindset: Compassion. Loving. Humble. Righteousness and holiness. 
But also, relaxed. Jesus never hurried past people. He remained present, focused on who was in front of Him, and trusted in God's ability to finish the rest. He surrendered in the security of the power of God. His certainty that He was only doing the will of His Father took the pressure off of Him. He lived freely because of this connection to God. How much pressure do you carry with you? Where do you struggle because you're under too much pressure and won't let it go? As you listen again, call to mind an area of pressure you need to give to the Lord so that you can have a more Christ-like mind? 
   
As we end our time of prayer, consider what it could look like for you to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ask God to lead you towards becoming the person He made you to be.

Music: Take My Life - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is August 4th

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from the book of Hosea, chapter 2.

15 There I will give her back her vineyards,
and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
There she will respond as in the days of her youth,
as in the day she came up out of Egypt.
16 “In that day,” declares the LORD,
“you will call me ‘my husband’;
you will no longer call me ‘my master.’
17 I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips;
no longer will their names be invoked.
18 In that day I will make a covenant for them
with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky
and the creatures that move along the ground.
Bow and sword and battle
I will abolish from the land,
so that all may lie down in safety.
19 I will betroth you to me forever;
I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,
in love and compassion.
20 I will betroth you in faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge the LORD.
21 “In that day I will respond,”
declares the LORD—
“I will respond to the skies,
and they will respond to the earth;
22 and the earth will respond to the grain,
the new wine and the olive oil,
and they will respond to Jezreel.
23 I will plant her for myself in the land;
I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’
I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’;
and they will say, ‘You are my God.’

One of the ways to think about the story of the Bible is to think about a story of a troubled marriage. God had made a covenant with the people of Israel and described that covenant as something akin to a marriage covenant. And like every marriage it started with a honeymoon phase. And like every marriage things became difficult at a certain point. And in this case it became seemingly impossible to continue because Israel became so unfaithful. Israel’s heart for God, her heart for the relationship was gone. Reflect for a moment on where your heart with God is? How would you describe your relationship with God?

In the story of Hosea, God’s response is so different than our human inclination. He says, “No matter how cold your heart is toward me, I’m not going to stop loving you. Even though you have left me, I’m going to wait for you.” As you hear the passage again, consider the unbelievable faithfulness of God toward you, that no matter how warm or cold the state of your heart or how strong or poor your relationship is, he is faithful to you.

Consider the end of the story. The end of the story is a marriage made new, a love made new. God is preparing his bride, the body of Christ. And one day, you and I will experience the fulness and rightness of love as it was meant to be. As we close our time of prayer, ask God to fill your heart with a love that anticipates that day.

Music Credit:
Reckless Love - Vineyard Soul (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

More at pickerill.casa

This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow.

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

More at pickerill.casa

Today is August 1.


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.   
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 6.   
  

Jesus answered... Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”  
  

This passage comes after the miraculous feeding of the 5000. The same crowd is chasing after Jesus, and he offers them these words: don’t chase after food that will spoil, but chase after that which is eternal – after me. Jesus tells them that their work is to believe in Jesus. What are you chasing after? Are you hungry for belief? For faith?  
   
The crowd asks ‘what work do we need to do’. They are used to religious works. But Jesus says: your work is to believe. Listen again. How does this make you feel? 
   
For many of us, outward works are easier than inner faith. What is the state of your belief today? What is the condition of your faith? Talk to God about this as we end our time of prayer.  
   
Music: The Hidden Place - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is July 31.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 20.   
  

In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for his meeting with David. He had a small boy with him, and he said to the boy, “Run and find the arrows I shoot.” As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. When the boy came to the place where Jonathan’s arrow had fallen, Jonathan called out after him, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?” Then he shouted, “Hurry! Go quickly! Don’t stop!” The boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master. (The boy knew nothing about all this; only Jonathan and David knew.) Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and said, “Go, carry them back to town.”   
After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most. Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.  
  

This story is the description of two dear friends speaking in code to one another through what looked like archery practice… Jonathan – who is Saul’s son – telling his dear friend David that his father Saul was in a rage against David…. So much so that David’s life changed in that instant, and he was cast out of the house of Saul. This is why the two friends wept. David had been cut off, and nothing would be the same for him. Jonathan was losing a best friend, and would only see David once again in his life. Have you ever experienced this kind of abrupt loss in your life? Where something that was once so good was torn away from you?  
   
Listen again to this code-language of arrows where one friend is secretly telling the other life-interrupting news. Listen to the two friends weep as they say goodbye to one another. Think about what David would have felt – David, who had been a hero, and a guest in the court of King Saul… and who was now an outcast…  And as you listen, bring an experience of your own loss before the Lord.  
   
Have you ever been interrupted by difficult news? Have you ever realized that the future you thought was locked in, is now unattainable? Have you ever felt like David did: full of sadness at the unfairness of it all? Take all of this to the Lord as we end our time of prayer. Listen to His words of consolation to you. 
  
Music: Be Still - Vineyard Worship - YouTube

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is July 30.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.    
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from Psalm 37.  
 
 
      The wicked plot against the righteous  
         and gnash their teeth at them;  
      but the Lord laughs at the wicked,  
         for he knows their day is coming.  
       The wicked draw the sword  
         and bend the bow  
         to bring down the poor and needy,  
         to slay those whose ways are upright.  
      But their swords will pierce their own hearts,  
         and their bows will be broken.  
       Better the little that the righteous have  
         than the wealth of many wicked;  
      for the power of the wicked will be broken,  
         but the LORD upholds the righteous.  
  
      The blameless spend their days under the LORD’s care,  
         and their inheritance will endure forever.  
      In times of disaster they will not wither;  
         in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.  
       But the wicked will perish:  
         Though the LORD’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,  
         they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.  
       The wicked borrow and do not repay,  
         but the righteous give generously;  
      those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,  
         but those he curses will be destroyed. 
  
  
The imagery in this psalm evokes a contrast and reflection. On one side, we see the wicked, with their plots and weapons aimed at the righteous. It's a scene of turmoil and conflict, where the pursuit of earthly gain leads to a cycle of violence and destruction.  
 
Then, the psalmist paints a striking picture of the Lord's response - laughter. This divine laughter carries profound meaning; it's not a cruel or mocking laughter but one of assurance and sovereignty. It signifies God's unwavering knowledge of the ultimate outcome, where justice and righteousness prevail. 
Do you find yourself caught up in the pursuits of this world, chasing after wealth, power, or recognition? Listen again for the psalmists description of the Lord’s blessing over those who seek him. 
   
The Old Testament often uses the language of blessings and curses. Life and death. God calls us, invites us, to live a life full of His blessing, His generosity, His inheritance, His plenty. Why do you think it is often so easy to get caught up in the way of the world, when the way of the Lord is so good? End your time of prayer today asking God to redirect your eyes to His kingdom, to His goodness, and to His way.

Music: Let Your Glory Fall - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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